Grievances

Each student is encouraged to resolve concerns through a dispute resolution process or directly with the individual(s) involved.  The Division of Student Affairs offers a number of options and methods for resolving nonacademic issues.  Students may use the online Student Grievance Form for nonacademic issues. "Conflict resolution is defined as a positive process whereby individuals resolve issues in an informal or formal atmosphere, or where issues are resolved as part of the ongoing interaction between individuals."

Students submitting a grievance disciplinary action request should refer to Student’s Rights & Responsibility and Student Discipline Code of Conduct found in the Student Handbook & Planner. The grievance should be submitted to the Division of Student Affairs and in care of the University’s Chief Judicial Officer and identify the alleged violation in accordance to the conduct standards.

Guidelines governing student accesses to personal records and the procedures for challenging information in these records are outlined the Release of Student Information section of the Student Handbook & Planner.

Student grievances concerning grades should refer to the petition and academic appeals section found in the Academic Catalog.  The Grade Appeal Form is now available for download.

Student grievances concerning any department within the Division of Student Affairs should be submitted to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.

Student grievances concerning the Office of Residence Life should be submitted to the Director of Residence Life. The Office of Residence Life appeal, grievance, and complaint resolution procedure is available to any resident for resolution of any disagreement or concern arising from the Residential Life policies or procedures. The resident must initiate the appeal, grievance, or complaint by discussing the problem or disagreement with the Office of Residence Life.

The Office of Public Safety issues parking permits to all faculty, staff, and students. The parking lots are monitored for parking violations. The parking rules and regulations are strictly enforced and any vehicle in violation will receive a citation. If students or other members or the college community wish to report a parking violation, they should contact the Office of Public Safety. Students wishing to appeal a parking violation ticket must submit the required Ticket Appeals form to the Office of Public Safety within 7 calendar days of receipt of the ticket. Information regarding the ticket appeals process may be found outside the Office of Public Safety.

Student grievances concerning issues pertaining to safety on campus should be submitted to the Office of Public Safety.

Student grievances concerning persons with handicap conditions should refer to the related policies found in the Student Handbook & Planner. No qualified applicant, student, or employee shall be discriminated against on the basis of handicap at Reinhardt University. Inquiries regarding compliance with Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, may be directed to the Executive Director for Physical Plant Operations Reinhardt University, 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska, Georgia, 30183 or to the Director of the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Washington, D.C. Disabled students are accommodated on an individual basis. Students requiring an academic or instructional accommodation should contact the Office of Academic Affairs. Students who require a physical accommodation should contact the Division of Student Affairs. Students with specific learning disabilities and/or attention deficit disorder should consult the Academic Catalog for information about the Academic Support Office.

Complaints or information concerning an alleged violation of the hazing policy should be reported to the Assistant Dean of Students or Director of Athletics. All reports will be taken seriously. Staff will investigate all complaints and take appropriate action upon confirmation of a violation.

Student grievances concerning sexual harassment should refer to the related policies found in the Student Handbook & Planner. Grievances concerning harassment or discrimination should be submitted to the Division of Student Affairs for review. If the grievance involves a faculty and/or staff member, the Office will forward the matter to the Office of Human Resources.

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Student grievances concerning freedom of expression should refer to the Freedom of Expression policies found in the Student Handbook & Planner. Student grievances concerning their freedom of expression should be submitted to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.

Student grievances regarding academic departments and nonacademic departments should be referred to the related policies found in the Academic Catalog.

All general student grievances concerning the University should be referred to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students for appropriate dissemination.

A student may appeal for a grade change within 30 days of the posting of final grades. An appeal form is available in the Office of Academic Affairs or by clicking this link.  A completed appeal form should be submitted to the appropriate School Dean (see form).  Contact Ms. Angel Pharr, Executive Assistant to the VPPA, for assistance (ADP@reinhardt.edu).

The Online Student Grievance Form

The online Student Grievance Form for Nonacademic Issues should state and specify the following information:

  • the type of grievance
  • by whom and for what reason the grievance is sought
  • date or dates, names, and addresses (if applicable) of any witnesses
  • what remedy and/or solution is being sought

The grievance must be filed within 30 business days of the alleged incident and/or grievance.  The University will determine on a case-by-case basis whether complaints filed after this deadline will be considered.  The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students will follow its concept of "reasonable fairness" in seeking to resolve the matter.

All parties involved with the grievance will be notified of the complaint and/or grievance, may know the source of the complaint, and will be allowed to provide pertinent information in addressing the grievance.

In some instances, such as cases regarding disciplinary action, personal records, sexual harassment and discrimination, an investigation may be appropriate and conducted by the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students or his designee.

A written determination as to the validity of the grievance and a description of the resolution, if any, will be issued by the Vice President and Dean of Students and a copy forwarded to the student with the complaint and/or grievance.

The Vice President and Dean of Students will review the grievance and notify the student with the complaint and/or grievance of the resulting determination in writing within 15 business days. A possible solution may involve mediation.

The right of a student to a prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint filed will not be delayed by the student's pursuit of other remedies, such as filing a complaint with the responsible state/federal department or agency.

If, after exhausting the Reinhardt University internal grievance procedure, Reinhardt University has not responded to a student's satisfaction, or a satisfactory remedy has not been found, it is the right of the student to contact GA-SARA for further investigation into the issue.

Student complaints can be filed with the Georgia Non-Public Postsecondary Education Commission, gnpec.georgia.gov.  In order for GA-SARA to initiate an investigation, a student must exhaust all available grievance procedures established by Reinhardt University.

Each student is encouraged to resolve concerns through a dispute resolution process or directly with the individual(s) involved. The Office of Student Affairs offers a number of options and methods for resolving nonacademic issues.

For more information, please contact:

Office of the Dean of Students
(770) 720-5540